For the fifth straight season, Pirates outfielder and former MVP Andrew McCutchen has been named to the National League All-Star team. On the season, McCutchen his hitting .296/.390/.493 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI despite a slow start to the season with a leg injury. McCutchen ranks first on the team in on-base percentage and slugging, while his .296 average is second on the team to only Francisco Cervelli. McCutchen is a combined 2-8 in his four All-Star appearances, which includes ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/4: Hurdle responds to ESPN survey; Marte’s defense
The Pittsburgh Pirates look to get back on the winning track with its Fourth of July afternoon game against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians won last night's game by a 5-2 final score. Jeff Locke [4-4 4.55 ERA] will pitch for the Pirates against Cody Anderson [1-0 0.57 ERA]. Locke is 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA in eight career Interleague starts and is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in those appearances this season. In his last start he took a loss against the Atlanta Braves. Locke allowed one run on five ... Read More
Poll: How many All-Stars should the Pirates have?
Major League Baseball will announce its All-Star teams tomorrow for the mid-summer classic. With many deserving players such as Andrew McCutchen, A.J. Burnett, Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Francisco Cervelli, Starling Marte, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon, how many representatives should the Pirates realistically have? [poll id="140"] ... Read More
Pirates experience Bauer outage, Bourn identity in loss
A 38-pitch second inning proved to be part of Charlie Morton's undoing as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 5-2 to the Cleveland Indians Friday night. The loss snaps a seven game winning streak in Interleague play. Morton [6-2] lost his first home start of the season although he settled down after the second inning. “I think overall my stuff was pretty good tonight it was just inconsistent," Morton said. "The pitch I threw to [Brandon] Moss it was off the plate but he got extended, it stayed ... Read More
Pirates Taillon suffers setback, will undergo surgery
A second opinion confirmed additional bad news for Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Jameson Taillon. The Pirates revealed in a press release that Taillon has an inguinal hernia and will have surgery late next week with his expected return being approximately two months. Taillon's injury comes after multiple outings spent in extended spring training that had reportedly been successful and without issue. “If things go as expected there should be an opportunity for him to pick up some ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/3: Jauss reconnects with Francona, Mills
The Pittsburgh Pirates will conclude the first half of its season with a 10-game homestand against the Cleveland Indians. Both teams come in with road sweeps with the Pirates taking three against the Detroit Tigers and the Indians emerging victorious four consecutive times versus the Tampa Bay Rays. The Pirates have won seven consecutive Interleague contests. Charlie Morton will pitch for the Pirates against Trevor Bauer. Morton is 3-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 11 career Interleague starts. ... Read More
What areas could Pirates improve?
Approaching the midway point of the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates once again find themselves as legitimate playoff contender. The club’s 45-33 record is the second best in the National League, and third in the Majors. After a rough start, the Pirates appear to have hit their stride and barring injuries or setbacks, should find themselves in a push for a third straight Buctober. They still trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 6.5 games in the National League Central, but are still firmly ... Read More
Pirates earn first-ever sweep in Motor City
On the menu for the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday afternoon in Detroit: their ninth sweep of the season, which they earned with an 8-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was the first sweep ever for the Pirates in Detroit. The Pirates totaled 64 base runners and 49 hits in three games against the Tigers, which is a season high. According to the Elias Sports Bureau the Pirates most recently had 49 hits in a three game series against the Chicago Cubs from Aug. 28-30 2006. They also are ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/2: Rojas, Guerra connect in Venezuela; Neil Walker: Mr. July?
From the first crack of the bat to Detroit Tigers fans booing reliever Joba Chamberlain for allowing three home runs in two-thirds of an inning, it was a long night for the home faithful. The Pittsburgh Pirates offense cranked out 21 hits and won 9-3 securing its 13th series victory in the process. A.J. Burnett earned his seventh victory of the season and of the 28 batters he faced 24 saw first-pitch strikes. “He navigated through a very tough lineup," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He made ... Read More
Pirates offense overwhelms Tigers
Fans at Comerica Park were treated to a hit parade as the Pittsburgh Pirates put together 15 hits on Detroit Tigers starter Alfredo Simon and had 21 on the night in a 9-3 victory. This was the first 21-hit game for the Pirates since May 13, 2004, a road game against the Colorado Rockies. The 15 hits off Simon [7-5] are the most off a single pitcher for the Pirates since Apr. 17, 1974. The 15 hits also are the most given up by a Tigers starter since Scott Sanders gave up 16 in 1998. “We ... Read More